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Columbus Blue Jackets Goaltender Steve Mason Named to NHL Youngstars Game as Part of All-Star Weekend

by
Blue Jackets Staff
/ Columbus Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason has been named the NHL's YoungStars Game presented by Upper Deck, the club and league announced January 9. He becomes the fourth Blue Jacket in club history to be named to the team.

Mason, 20, has posted a 13-9-1 record with a 1.82 goals-against average, .934 save percentage and five shutouts in 23 games this season. He leads the NHL in goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts (tied), while ranking tied for 18th in wins. He has allowed two or fewer goals in 14 of his past 18 starts and has allowed only one even-strength goal in the past six games.

The Oakville, Ontario native took home NHL Rookie of the Month honors for December, the second-straight month he has earned the award. He closed out the month posting shutouts in three-straight games, a club record. The only other rookie to record shutouts in three consecutive starts during the NHL's modern era was Detroit's Glenn Hall in December 1955. Mason also set the club record for longest shutout streak at 199:19 from Dec. 27, 2008-Jan. 2, 2009.

Columbus' second pick, 69th overall in the 2006 Entry Draft, Mason joins defenseman Rostislav Klesla (2002 and 2003), left wing Rick Nash (2003) and right wing Nikolai Zherdev (2004) as Blue Jackets who have been selected to play in the YoungStars Games.

Showcasing the best of the League's young talent, the 10-player sophomore and rookie teams will face off as part of the 2009 Honda/NHL SuperSkills (7 p.m. ET, VERSUS) on Saturday, Jan. 24. This marks the sixth consecutive YoungStars Game at All-Star Weekend and the first under the sophomores vs. rookies format. YoungStars players were selected by the NHL's Hockey Operations Department and the NHL Players' Association, in consultation with League General Managers.

The Blue Jackets return to action tonight when they visit reigning NHL most valuable player Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. Game time from Verizon Center is set for 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio will begin with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m. The game will also broadcast live on the Blue Jackets Radio Network and flagship station WWCD-FM, CD101.

Tickets for 2008-09 regular season home games are on sale now at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, FOX Sports Ohio Blue Line at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, The Chiller Ice Rinks and all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers. Fans can purchase tickets by phone at (614) 431-3600 or online at www.BlueJackets.com and www.ticketmaster.com. For information on season tickets, mini-plans or group tickets, call (614) 246-PUCK or 800-NHL-COLS.